Ultra fine dead sea mineral compound and method of manufacture

ABSTRACT

An ultra fine mineral compound and method of processing native Dead Sea minerals into this ultra fine mineral compound that can be used to manufacture all natural Dead Sea mineral compositions particularly compositions for use in bath and body products is disclosed. Even with the extreme ionic character of the Dead Sea minerals, the Dead Sea mineral compositions prepared remain in suspension creating a viable cosmetic preparation that can maintain adequate shelf life and provide a more pleasant feel for the consumer.

[0001] This application is a continuation application claiming priorityto U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/931,453 filed Aug. 16, 2001 andany amendments thereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of The Invention

[0003] Applicant's invention relates to an ultra fine mineral compoundand a method of processing native Dead Sea minerals into this ultra finemineral compound that can be used to manufacture all-natural Dead Seamineral compositions particularly compositions for use in cosmeticpreparations such as bath and body products.

[0004] 2. Background Information

[0005] A cosmetic product is any substance or preparation intended forplacing in contact with the various external parts of the human body orwith the teeth or mucous membranes of the oral cavity with the intentionof cleaning, perfuming, or protecting, to keep such parts in goodcondition, change their appearance or correct body odors. There arenumerous product groups that fall within the category of cosmeticproducts or preparations, including but not limited to cosmeticemulsions, deodorants and antiperspirants, sunscreens, make-uppreparations, hair preparations, bath products, soaps, exfoliatingagents, and shaving preparations.

[0006] Cosmetic preparations are usually mixtures. A mixture is anymatter consisting of two or more substances physically combined in someproportion by mass. In a mixture there is no chemical reaction. Twotypes of mixtures are heterogenous mixtures and homogenous mixtures. Aheterogenous mixture is a mixture having ingredients of different statesof matter. A suspension is a heterogenous mixture in which droplets orparticles are suspended in a liquid. A colloidal dispersion is aspecific type of suspension in which the particles or droplets of onesubstance are smaller than those in suspensions, but larger than thosein solutions and that have one dimension in the range of 1 to 10 nm. Ahomogenous mixture is a mixture having ingredients of the same states ofmatter. Homogenous mixtures are usually solutions which are made up of asolute dissolved in a solvent. When the solute does not remain dissolvedin the solvent the mixture is in turn referred to as a heterogenousmixture.

[0007] Many cosmetic preparations are suspensions and more particularlycolloidal dispersions. In a colloidal dispersion there is a suspensionof finely divided particles in a continuous medium in which theparticles do not settle out of the substance rapidly and are not readilyfiltered. Where the particle is a liquid droplet and the medium is aliquid, the colloid is referred to as an emulsion. If however theparticle is a solid and the medium is a liquid, the colloid is referredto as a sol or gel. A sol is a colloidal dispersion of a solid in aliquid in which the particles are so small that the dispersion appearstransparent while a gel is a suspension that behaves as an elastic solidor semi-solid rather than liquid.

[0008] Colloidal systems undergo agglomeration, or gathering into amass, leading to a distribution of droplet size for liquid colloids.Though wetting phenomena and nonwetting colloidal factors may play arole, the agglomeration process is induced by particulate collisionsarising from diffusion, as in Brownian motion, velocity or sheargradients in a liquid dispersion medium, and gravitational settling.

[0009] Irreversible agglomeration can be quantified using various modelsfor repulsive or attractive electrostatic, London-van der Waals, andsteric forces which affect stabilization of aqueous and nonaqueouscolloidal systems. A comprehensive model of colloidal stability, theDLVO (Derjagiun-Landau-Verwey-Overbeek) model has provided informationregarding the roles of electrolytes, dielectric constant, and otherphysical quantities in colloidal systems. This theory considers theelectrostatic interactions between two identically charged, suspendedparticles to be repulsive and to arise from the overlap of theelectrical double layers associated with each particle.

[0010] For systems containing a soluble polymer or surfactant, moleculararrangement, thickness of the absorbed layer, temperature, and chain orsegment salvation are additional critical parameters in determining theeffectiveness of a dispersed agent in providing steric stabilization. Ifvelocity or shear gradients are present, such as in mixing, and aresufficiently large, the frequency of collisions depends on the volumefraction of solids and the mean velocity gradient. Assuming thatsedimentation is slow compared to the first two collision mechanisms,the overall agglomeration rate is

−dN/dt=k _(d) N2+k _(s) N

[0011] where N is the particle number concentration, k_(d) and k_(s) arethe respective rate constants corresponding to diffusion controlled andshear induced collision processes, and the minus sign denotes that theparticle number concentration decreases with time.

[0012] Cosmetic emulsions, such as lotions and creams, are emulsions ofwater-based and oil-based phases. An emulsion is more particularly a twophase system consisting of two incompletely miscible liquids, theinternal or discontinuous phase dispersed as finite globules in theother termed the continuous phase. Emulsions can be classified accordingwhich liquid is dispersed in the continuous phase. Oil in water (o/w)emulsions have oil as the dispersed phase in water as the continuousphase. In water in oil (w/o) emulsions, the water is dispersed in theoil as the continuous phase.

[0013] Products that produce emulsions, or emulsifiers, can beclassified as ionic or nonionic according to their behavior. An ionicemulsifier is composed of an organic lipophilic group and a hydrophilicgroup. The hydrophilic-lipophilic balance is often used to characterizeemulsifiers and related surfactant materials. The ionic types may befurther divided into anionic and cationic, depending on the nature ofthe ion-active group. The lipophilic portion of the molecule is usuallyconsidered to be the surface active portion. Nonionic emulsifiers arecompletely covalent and show no apparent tendency to ionize.Emulsifiers, being surface active agents, lower surface and interfacialtensions and increase the tendency of their solution to spread.

[0014] Mixing of cosmetic preparations is an important operationparticularly in the preparation of heterogenous mixtures such assuspensions and colloids since the actual steps involved can dictatewhether the particles or droplets remain suspended continuouslythroughout the medium for a reasonable period of time to maintain anadequate shelf life and viability of the preparation. This becomesincreasingly difficult when the desire of the manufacturer is to producecosmetic preparations that contain all natural ingredients. Naturalingredients refer to ingredients obtained from nature such as extracteddirectly from plants or animal products as opposed to being producedsynthetically.

[0015] The present composition contains all natural ingredients. One ofthe natural ingredients incorporated into the composition of the presentinvention is Dead Sea minerals. Dead Sea minerals are not to be confusedwith sea salt or afro-salt® which has a different chemical composition.Sea salt is the compound remaining when oceanic sea water is evaporated.It contains primarily sodium and chloride and in some cases traceamounts of copper, manganese, nickel, fluorine, tin and iodine. Thetrace-minerals can vary based upon the source of the sea water.Afrosalt® is a compound of inorganic salts derived from seawatercontaining 45%±31 sodium, 53%±3 chlorides, 3.6% magnesium, <7%sulphates, <3% calcium, <2% bromides, 0.49%±0.04 potassium, <0.3%iodides. The Dead Sea is a unique body of water, unlike any other andhas a singular chemical composition For years it has been known thattreatments administered at the Dead Sea can bring about significantremissions in diseases such as psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis,rheumatoid arthritis, and osteoarthritis. It is not known what the modeof action is of the Dead Sea minerals. It is however believed thatspecific ions from the minerals play a role mainly as co-factors inenzymatic regulation activities in the metabolism of healthy skin. Thereare indications that magnesium is a co-factor for phosphate transferringenzymes and participates in c-AMP c-GMP balancing regulation, potassiummay enhance CO₂ transport, and calcium is thought to regulate cellmembrane permeability. Zinc may play a role as a co-factor in cellproliferation enzymatic regulation.

[0016] Electrolytes can be absorbed into the skin from mineral richpreparations. The skin is a multilayered membrane with certainabsorption characteristics which are subject to change. Corneum cellwalls are involved in the semi-permeable membrane system and areresponsible for the osmotic properties of the corneum. The penetrationof the electrolytes through the stratum corneum occurs in between thehorny cells.

[0017] There are models that demonstrate specific ionic absorptionthrough the human skin barrier. Concentration is the key. When applyinga cosmetic preparation, the relevant concentration is the concentrationgradient between each specific dissolved ion both outside and inside theskin surface. During the absorption process, a partitioning of mineralsoccurs from the vehicle to the skin. The nature of the cosmeticpreparation is significant in determining the kinetics of mineral skinpenetration. Another important factor is the pH in the variousmicroenvironments of the skin. Ions in varying valences and cations incombination with different anions penetrate to differing extents. Thereare major differences in the extent of skin penetration in differentareas of the body.

[0018] The face is one of the highest absorbing areas. Exposed surfacearea, frequency of dermal application, skin type, skin age, temperature,and contact time should be considered. Factors involved in thepercutaneous absorption of cosmetic preparations include use of othertopical or systemic drugs, application parameters such as area, amount,frequency, massage; formulation such as concentration, nature of thevehicle, occlusivity, pH; formulation components such as solvents,surfactants, perfumes, dyes, inert ingredients, active ingredients,preservatives, impurities; skin damage such as abrasion, detergents,organic solvents, climatic factors; and physiological factors such asnature of the skin, anatomical site, individual factors and hydration.Assuming electrolytes can be absorbed into the skin, dermal applicationof mineral rich cosmetics can prove beneficial. The goal therefore hasbeen to incorporate the beneficial properties of the Dead Sea intocosmetics.

[0019] Over the past few years cosmetics have been marketed thatincorporate Dead Sea minerals, including body and face masks with highlyviscous dispersions, lotions and creams with the minerals in very lowconcentrations, and one phase aqueous solutions with the minerals invery low concentrations. The composition of Dead Sea minerals is veryunique. The concentration of the divalent cations magnesium and calciumis very high compared with the monovalent cations, mainly sodium andpotassium. In addition, the ionic strength of a solution of theseminerals is very high. These two factors have a tremendous negativeeffect on the formation and stability of dispersions and emulsions, andstrictly limit their concentration to a few percent of the weight ofconventional cosmetic formulations.

[0020] As mentioned previously, according to the DLVO theorystabilization of dispersions of emulsions can be described as the resultof the combined attraction and repulsion forces between the particles ordroplets that are dispersed in continuous phases. For example, oil inwater emulsions can be stabilized by the absorption of ionic surfactantsonto the oil droplet surface which may become positively or negativelycharged. The electric surface potential will cause repulsion between theapproaching droplets. If the repulsion forces overcome the attractionforces the emulsion will be stable. The electric surface potential isstrongly dependent on electrolyte concentration and on the valence ofthe counter ion in the solution. Therefore, the electrical repulsion issignificantly reduced in systems that contain high concentrations ofelectrolyes in general, and divalent counterions in particular. Thisresults in difficulties in formulating a cosmetic emulsion that containselectrolytes from the Dead Sea that is rich in magnesium and calciumdivalent cations at high concentrations, and will be stable for theminimum required shelf life for a cosmetic product. In addition, thehigh concentration of electrolytes may cause salting out andprecipitation of various components of any cosmetic preparation. Thismay also affect the texture and the appearance of the product, itsviscosity, hydrophilic-lipophilic balance, crystallization, etc.

[0021] The present invention provides for a chemical composition forapplication to the skin comprising a mixture of at least 50% processedultra fine Dead Sea mineral particles in a continuous all naturalcarrier medium where in the Dead Sea mineral particles do not rapidlysettle out of the carrier medium which promotes a more shelf stableproduct. This chemical composition takes advantage of the ionicproperties of the Dead Sea minerals and contains minerals of such a finegranularity that exfoliation is not as harsh to the skin, particularlyof persons suffering from severe skin disorders. In addition, thecarrier medium of the present invention contains all natural ingredientsand is non-comedogenic so consumers do not have to be concerned aboutclogged pores.

[0022] The problems of the prior art are overcome by the presentinvention by processing the Dead Sea minerals into an ultra fine mineralcompound and mixing this ultra fine mineral compound with select naturalingredients using a unique swift heating, chilling and mixing techniqueto produce cosmetic preparations, such as body scrubs, rubs, muds,creams, lotions, and related preparations. These cosmetic preparationscontain greater than 50% concentration of Dead Sea minerals but maintainstability and preferable shelf life with a pleasant feel for theconsumer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0023] It is an object of the present invention to provide a novelmethod for processing native Dead Sea minerals into an ultra finemineral compound.

[0024] Still another object of the present invention is to provide anovel ultra fine mineral compound.

[0025] It is another object of the present invention to provide a novelmethod for using manufactured ultra fine Dead Sea minerals tomanufacture all natural Dead Sea mineral compositions.

[0026] Another object of the present invention is to provide novel DeadSea mineral compositions.

[0027] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide novelDead Sea mineral body scrubs, rubs, muds, creams, lotions, and relatedpreparations.

[0028] It is still another object of the present invention to provide anovel Dead Sea mineral body scrub that remains in suspension to sustainshelf life.

[0029] It is an additional object of the present invention to provide anovel Dead Sea mineral body scrub that is made from all naturalingredients.

[0030] Still another object of the present invention is to provide anovel body scrub that has as its primary ingredient Dead Sea minerals.

[0031] It is yet another object of the present invention to providenovel Dead Sea mineral compositions that provide the optimalconcentration of each specific ion in skin cells.

[0032] Still another object of the present invention is to provide novelDead Sea mineral compositions that provide a pleasant feel for theconsumer.

[0033] An additional object of the present invention is to provide novelDead Sea mineral compositions that provide the optimal delivery vehiclefor the various ionic compounds.

[0034] Another object of the present invention is to provide novel DeadSea mineral compositions that are not irritating to the skin.

[0035] In satisfaction of these and related objectives, Applicant'spresent invention provides an ultra fine mineral compound and a methodof processing native Dead Sea minerals into this ultra fine mineralcompound that can be used to manufacture all natural Dead Sea mineralcompositions particularly compositions for use in bath and bodyproducts.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036]FIG. 1 is a flowchart of the organization of manufacture for thepreferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0037]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the conical screen mill system ofthe present invention manufacturing process.

[0038]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the unique swift heating, chillingand mixing system of the present invention.

[0039]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the tube packager of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0040] Referring to FIG. 1, a flowchart of the organization ofmanufacture for the preferred embodiment of the present invention isshown. The Dead Sea mineral compositions and method for manufacturebegins with the native Dead Sea minerals at step 101. The native DeadSea minerals are typically composed of 31.0-35.0% magnesium chloride,20.0-28.0% potassium chloride, 3.0-8.0% sodium chloride, 0.1-0.5%calcium chloride, 0.3-0.6% bromide, 0.05-0.2% sulfates, 0-0.3% insolubleminerals, and 32.0-40.0% water of crystallization. These values have astandard deviation of ±1%. These native Dead Sea minerals are nextsubjected to ultra fine processing at step 102. A perspective view ofthe conical screen mill and impeller system 103 is illustrated in moredetail in FIG. 2. In the ultra fine processing, the native Dead Seaminerals are initially held in a hopper 112, that is preferablynonmetal, dispensed to a screw conveyor 113 and transported through aprimary opening 114 into a second hopper 150. From second hopper 150,the native Dead Sea minerals are dispensed into a processor 115 thatcontains a conical screen mill with an impeller system 103 havingpreferably a dual headed impeller 103 b. Once in the processor 115, thenative Dead Sea minerals enter into the conical screen mill 103 a.Within the conical screen mill 103 a, the impeller 103 b forces thenative Dead Sea minerals through the conical screen 103 a into a thirdhopper 104 thereby reducing the size of the native Dead Sea minerals andforming an ultra fine mineral compound. The conical screen mill withimpeller system 103 not only reduces the particle size of the nativeDead Sea minerals, but also keeps insoluble materials, such as pieces ofhard mineral or rocks, from getting through so the ultra fine mineralsthat are formed are essentially “rock-free”. The initial granularity ofthe native Dead Sea minerals is typically 31.3% passing through US sieve20 mesh, 40.2% passing through US sieve 40 mesh, 24.6% passing throughUS sieve 60 mesh, 2.5% passing through US sieve 80 mesh, 0.4% passingthrough US sieve 100 mesh, and 0.2% passing through US sieve 120 mesh,0.4% passing through US sieve 200 mesh, and 0.3% pan. Simply, thepreferred native minerals used in the present process have at a minimum90% less than 10 mesh and 90% less than 1.7 mm size granularity.However, another grade of native minerals that can be used in thepresent process has a screen analysis that has at a minimum greater than90% between 5 and 10 mesh and greater than 90% between 1.7 mm and 4.0 mmsize granularity. In contrast, the granularity of the ultra fineminerals consist of typically 0.0% passing through US sieve 20 mesh,22.7% passing through US sieve 40 mesh, 29.6% passing through US sieve60 mesh, 11.5% passing through US sieve 80 mesh, 4.9% passing through USsieve 100, 3.4% passing through US sieve 120, 9.7% passing through USsieve 200, and 18.2% pan.

[0041] A finer version of the minerals can also be obtained with agranularity of the minerals consisting of typically 0.0% passing throughUS sieve 20 mesh, 0.4% passing through US sieve 40 mesh, 16.0% passingthrough US sieve 60 mesh, 15.0% passing through US sieve 80 mesh, 8.7%passing through US sieve 100 mesh, 5.5% passing through US sieve 120mesh, 16.2% passing through US sieve 200 mesh, and 38.1% pan. Thegranularities for each of the minerals have a deviation of ±10%. Theprocessing step for any version of the minerals ensures that 100% willhave less than 10 mesh and 100% will have less than 1.0 mm sizegranularity.

[0042] At the primary opening of the processor 115, a specially fittedhose 119 is placed to regulate air into the impeller portion. This airoriginates from an attached air compressor 158. Before entering theimpeller portion, the air passes through a pressure regulator 159 andthrough an air dryer 160. In addition, this air is filtered withpreferably two filters, one filter 151 that removes moisture andparticulates and one carbon filter 152. By maintaining a cool, drypositive pressure environment the level of heat and moisture in theprocess remains low enabling the chemical composition to remain naturalwithout the necessity of adding non-natural “free flowing” or“anti-caking” agents that would alter the natural composition. Asecondary opening exists between the conical screen mill and impellersystem 103 and third hopper 104 to allow for collection, but theremainder of this portion of processor 115 is kept closed with a cover120, being preferably cotton or canvas, to prevent the ultra fineparticulate from escaping into the air and causing possible respiratoryproblems and to prevent unnecessary moisture from entering the ultrafine minerals and altering their chemical coordination.

[0043] A nuisance collection tube 105, having a collection fitting, isplaced adjacent opening 153 of third hopper 104 for super fine nuisanceparticulate debris collection into a nuisance collection receptacle 106.The processed ultra fine minerals are next conveyed along a screw typeconveyor 121 to liner bags 154 within fibre drums or barrels 107 placedon a scale 155. A second nuisance collection tube 156 is placed from thescrew type conveyor 121 for debris collection into a second nuisancecollection receptacle 157. When 65 kg of ultra fine minerals arecollected, the scale 155 automatically stops the screw type conveyor121. All of the air is removed from the liner bag 154, the liner bag 154is lock tied, and the barrel 107 closed. The barrel 107 is thentransported to a pallet (not shown) for shipment 108. Both the nativeDead Sea minerals and the ultra fine processed minerals are highlyhygroscopic and therefore the entire process occurs in a modified roomatmosphere with a temperature no higher than 78 degrees Fahrenheit withcool, dry positive pressure.

[0044] Once the ultra fine minerals are prepared they can then be mixedat the mixing stage 109 into a Dead Sea mineral composition. The mixingstep is illustrated in more detail with the perspective view of theswift heating, chilling and mixing system of FIG. 3. Swift heating orchilling for purposes of the present invention is defined as heating orchilling of at least about 200 gallons in about two hours or less.Mixing performance is evaluated primarily by the physical uniformity ofthe ultimate composition. The elements of the mixer design are theprocess design, such as the fluid mechanics of the impeller, fluidregimen required by the process, scale-up, and hydraulic similarity;impeller power characteristics, including speed and diameter; andmechanical design of the mixer, such as the impeller, shafts and driveassembly.

[0045] In preparing the Dead Sea mineral composition of the presentinvention it is important to consider the fluid mechanics of the mixingprocess. Mixer power, P, produces a pumping capacity Q expressed inkg/s, and a specific velocity work term of the head H expressed in J/kgaccording to the formula:

P=QH

[0046] where the term H is related to the square of the velocity andtherefore to fluid shear rates. If the process is dependent primarilyupon the pumping capacity, the fluid velocities and the individual shearrates, both on a macro- and a micro-scale are above a certain minimumlevel to allow other process requirements to proceed unhindered. If thepumping capacity is increased and some of the other velocity and shearrate values are decreased below some minimum, then fluid shear stressenters into the-overall design.

[0047] When mixing the Dead Sea mineral composition of the presentinvention which involves at its simplest level a solid and at least oneliquid, the settling velocity of the solid particles as well as thefinal viscosity of the suspension are critical factors in-the processdesign as the ultimate goal is to obtain a composition that can be usedas a cosmetic preparation with complete uniformity of the solidthroughout the suspension that can be maintained not only through themixing period, but also for a reasonable time thereafter for an adequateshelf life.

[0048] The process for preparing the Dead Sea mineral composition of thepresent invention utilizes water for many of its operations. The wateroriginates from a local water source 168, then passes into a deionizer169. The deionized water is then supplied to a boiler 170 and a chillerunit 123. Air is also incorporated into the system which originates fromair compressor 171. The air passes from air compressor 171 through apressure regulator 172 into an air dryer 173 to create cool dry air. Theair then passes through a filter 174 and water trap 175 in processvessel 122. The process begins by heating the process vessel 122 andsetting the temperature control on control panel 134 to 65 degreesCelsius to open the heat valves 124 a and inject hot water from boiler170 into the process vessel 122 jacket around the surrounding insidewall of the process vessel 122. Once circulated through process vessel122 jacket, the water is returned out valve 124 d. Liquid palm oil isadded to vessel 122 once the vessel 122 begins to heat. When thetemperature has reached at least 35 degrees Celsius, beeswax, jojoba waxPEG 120, cashew husk oil ethoxylate, and coconut oil are added to theprocess vessel 122 to begin melting. Scrape surface 163 agitation andtriple impeller 164 agitation are turned on from control panel 134 atslow speed to mix (these are attached to a variable speed controlledmotor). When these ingredients have reached 65 degrees Celsius and aremelted thoroughly together then soybean oil, olive oil, jojoba oil, andvitamin E oils (Covitol 1250 and Covi-ox) are added. The speed of thescrape surface agitation and the triple impeller agitation are increasedto medium. The heating is then turned off and the flow of hot water tothe process vessel jacket 122 is closed. Turbine 165 agitation is thenturned on within the process vessel 122 for high speed homogenousagitation or mixing. The ultra fine minerals are added and higher speedmixing with scrape surface 163 agitation and triple impeller 164agitation is continued. The ultra fine minerals help to reduce thetemperature. A chiller unit 123 is turned on and flow valves 125 areopened to circulate chilled water. The chiller unit 123 is itselfchilled by an external cooling source such as a local water supply 168.The temperature control on the process vessel 122 is then set to 45degrees Celsius to open the cooling valves 124 b to the process-vessel122. The cold water is circulated through the process vessel 122 jacketand returned through valve 124 c to chiller unit 123. Triple motionmixing is continued until the batch temperature reaches 45 degreesCelsius. Mixing of the batch with triple motion is continued at 45degrees Celsius for another 15 minutes. The temperature control oncontrol panel 134 is then set to 42 degrees Celsius and an essential oilblend is added (which is weighed and blended earlier) and mixing iscontinued. The batch is maintained at 42 degrees Celsius while mixingfor 20-25 minutes. The temperature control on the process vessel 122 isthen set to 40 degrees Celsius and mixing is continued. When thetemperature of the batch reaches 40 degrees Celsius, package tubes canthen be filled. At this stage, the batch is pumped from the processvessel 122 using pump 166 with a pressure regulator 167 to a holdinghopper 126 at the filling station 128 of a tube packager 110. The tubepackager 110 is illustrated in more detail in FIG. 4. As the level ofthe batch goes down in the holding hopper 126, the level sensor 176signals the pump 166 to pump over more. The holding hopper 126 iscovered except for the tube 127 that enters from the process vessel 122due to the delicate nature of the batch product. Empty tubes are placedinto a distribution station 135 and upon actuating the filling station128 of the tube packager 110 the empty tubes are placed at station 129,oriented at station 130, filled at station 131, sealed at station 132,and trimmed into a final packaged Dead Sea mineral composition atstation 133 ready for shipment 111. The tubes are preferably coextrudedtubes with a barrier of protection between the mineral composition andthe reactant tube surface.

[0049] The final Dead Sea mineral composition that can be used forcosmetic preparations such as body scrubs, rubs, muds, creams, lotions,and related preparations contains ultra fine Dead Sea minerals, palmoil, soybean oil, olive oil, jojoba oil, beeswax, essential oil blend,jojoba wax PEG 120, cashew husk oil ethoxylate, coconut oil, naturalsource Vitamin E oil (or d-alpha tocopherol), Vitamin E oil (or naturalmixed tocopherols) used as antioxidant. The preferred essential oilblend includes rosewood, lavender, chamomile, and calendula.

[0050] Where the final composition is a body scrub, it containspreferably approximately 51% ultra fine Dead Sea minerals, 25% palm oil,9.0% soybean oil, 5.0% olive oil, 3.0% jojoba oil, 3.0% beeswax, 1.0%essential oil blend, 1.0% jojoba wax PEG 120, 1.0% cashew husk oilethoxylate, 1.0% coconut oil, 0.1% natural source Vitamin E oil or dalpha tocopherol, 0.05% Vitamin E oil or natural mixed tocopherols. Thepreferred essential oil blend for the body scrub includes 0.44%rosewood, 0.34% lavender, 0.20% chamomile, and 0.02% calendula. Evenwith the extreme ionic character of the Dead Sea minerals, the Dead Seamineral compositions prepared remain in suspension creating a viablecosmetic preparation that can maintain adequate shelf life and provide amore pleasant feel for the consumer.

[0051] Conventional methods, known to those of ordinary skill in the artof cosmetics, can be used to administer the formulation of the presentinvention to a user; however, the preferred administration will be bytransdermal delivery.

[0052] Although the invention has been described with reference tospecific embodiments, this description is not meant to be construed in alimited sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, aswell as alternative embodiments of the inventions will become apparentto persons skilled in the art upon the reference to the description ofthe invention. It is, therefore, contemplated that the appended claimswill cover such modifications that fall within the scope of theinvention.

We claim:
 1. A processor for processing native Dead Sea minerals into anultra fine mineral compound comprising: a conical screen mill having animpeller; and a collecting bin for collecting said ultra fine mineralcompound once the native Dead Sea minerals have been forced through saidconical screen mill.
 2. The processor for processing native Dead Seaminerals into an ultra fine mineral compound of claim 1 furthercomprising a nuisance collector for collecting debris into a nuisancecollection receptacle placed from said collecting bin.
 3. The processorfor processing native Dead Sea minerals into an ultra fine mineralcompound of claim 2 further comprising a cover on said collecting binfor closing said collecting bin to prevent the ultra fine particulatefrom escaping into the air.
 4. A method processing native Dead seaminerals into an ultra fine mineral compound comprising the steps of:transporting said native Dead sea minerals into a processor comprising aconical screen mill with impeller; and forcing said native Dead Seaminerals through said conical screen mill with said impeller and into acollecting bin.
 5. The method of processing native Dead Sea mineralsinto an ultra fine mineral compound of claim 4 further comprising thestep of collecting debris into a nuisance collection system.
 6. Themethod of processing native Dead Sea minerals into an ultra fine mineralcompound of claim 5 further comprising the step of closing thecollecting bin to prevent the ultra fine particulate from escaping intothe air.
 7. The method of processing native Dead Sea minerals into anultra fine mineral compound of claim 6 comprising the step of modifyingthe room atmosphere in which the processing occurs with a temperature nohigher than 78 degrees with cool, dry positive pressure.
 8. The methodof processing native Dead Sea minerals into an ultra fine mineralcompound of claim 6 further comprising the step of maintaining a lowlevel of heat and moisture to enable the ultra fine mineral compound toremain free-flowing without anti-caking agents.
 9. A processor forprocessing native minerals into an ultra fine mineral compoundcomprising: a conical screen mill having an impeller; and a collectingbin for collecting said ultra fine mineral compound once the nativeminerals have been forced through said conical screen mill.
 10. Theprocessor for processing native minerals into an ultra fine mineralcompound of claim 9 further comprising a nuisance collector forcollecting debris into a nuisance collection receptacle placed from saidcollecting bin.
 11. The processor for processing native minerals into anultra fine mineral compound of claim 10 further comprising a cover onsaid collecting bin for closing said collecting bin to prevent the ultrafine particulate from escaping into the air.
 12. A method of processingnative minerals into an ultra fine mineral compound comprising the stepsof: transporting said native minerals into a processor comprising aconical screen mill with impeller; and forcing said native mineralsthrough said conical screen mill with said impeller and into acollecting bin.
 13. The method of processing native minerals into anultra fine mineral compound of claim 12 further comprising the step ofcollecting debris into a nuisance collection system.
 14. The method ofprocessing native minerals into an ultra fine mineral compound of claim13 further comprising the step of closing the collecting bin to preventthe ultra fine particulate from escaping into the air.
 15. The method ofprocessing native minerals into an ultra fine mineral compound of claim14 comprising the step of modifying the room atmosphere in which theprocessing occurs with a temperature no higher than 78 degrees withcool, dry positive pressure.
 16. The method of processing nativeminerals into an ultra fine mineral compound of claim 15 furthercomprising the step of maintaining a low level of heat and moisture toenable the ultra fine mineral compound to remain free-flowing withoutanti-caking agents.